Dancing man laid up after being hit by truck in Stroud Township

A local entertainer known for dancing at major intersections around Monroe County is recovering after being struck by a vehicle on a Stroud Township road last week.

CHRIS REBER

A local entertainer known for dancing at major intersections around Monroe County is recovering after being struck by a vehicle on a Stroud Township road last week.

DeQuan Waters-Smith, 23, is known for grooving everywhere from Route 611 and Chipperfield Drive to the Wal-Mart Plaza in East Stroudsburg.

He says he walks from Penn Estates to Route 611 nearly every day. On Friday, he was struck by a pickup truck pushing a snowplow while he walked on Cranberry Road.

He suffered two fractures in his leg. Doctors needed to insert a rod, and expect him to be walking in six to eight weeks. With his trademark optimism, Waters-Smith said he hopes to be moving around before that.

"I think I can be back up in a month," he said. "But I'm just taking it day by day."

News of Waters-Smith's injury spread quickly through social media. He thanked those who expressed concern.

"Don't worry about a thing. Everything's gonna be fine," he said. "Just keep up the hope. Keep the faith."

Waters-Smith says he was walking his normal route from Penn Estates to Route 611 Friday morning. He was walking with traffic — which helps buses see him better — when he was struck and injured by a passing truck.

Waters-Smith said he didn't see the truck coming behind him — he just felt when it struck.

"I just felt something lift me up in the air," Waters-Smith said Sunday.

The truck driver quickly stopped, and stayed with Waters-Smith until the police arrived. Waters-Smith admitted the pain was tremendous, but that he was aware of his surroundings and able to communicate with emergency workers.

"The cops wanted to ask me questions, but I wasn't really in the mood to answer anything," he said.

Family members said the crash hasn't daunted Waters-Smith's optimism and energy.

"He's still very positive, still has a lot of energy," Waters-Smith's brother, Antoine Smith, said. "And a lot of people supporting him in the community."

Antoine Smith said he worries about his brother's safety, but doesn't stop him because of the joy it brings to him and those who see him dancing.

"He always just loves making people happy," Antoine Smith said. "And he loves to walk."